Justice For All Week 1- “Lost Causes”

Big Idea: Jesus came to bring justice for the “lost cause”

Primary Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 8:40-56

Supporting Scripture: Romans 8:28; Philippians 2:4; Proverbs 16:24

CAPTURE (Why should students pay attention to and care about your message?) 

In 2015, Anthony Ray Hinton was released from prison after spending 30 years on death row for crimes he didn’t commit. 

Eighteen years after being sentenced, a group led by Bryan Stevenson called the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) found the evidence needed to prove his innocence. However, it still took twelve more years for him to finally be set free.

Hinton’s case was an uphill battle from the start. 

Even though he refused to admit guilt for two murders that he did not commit, he was convicted based on evidence and witness testimony that were unreliable at best.

A witness picked Hinton out from a lineup even though he had an airtight alibi. He was 15 miles away, working in a locked factory. It would have been impossible for him to have been anywhere near the scene of the crime. 

The original ballistics report was completely fabricated in order to make Hinton look guilty. Top ballistics experts ultimately testified that the gun tied to Hinton couldn’t possibly have been the one used in the murders.

The justice system failed Hinton in every possible way.

When we hear the phrase “justice was served,” we might immediately think it means someone got the punishment they deserved.

At its core, justice is really about making things right. 

For Hinton, justice wasn’t served when he was sentenced; it was served when he was finally set free 30 years later. 

Jesus’ heart for justice is really all about seeing people, meeting their needs, and working to make things right. 

SCRIPTURE (What does God’s Word say?) 

When Jesus saw people, He looked beyond their mistakes and imperfections to see their whole story. 

Too often we focus on other people’s flaws and define them by their worst moments. 

We are surprisingly judgmental, and we judge others even though we hate it when others judge us. 

Jesus makes His stance extremely clear:

1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 - NLT)

*Bat and speck illustration*

Jesus used hyperbole (or exaggeration) to make His point. 

Jesus wants to help people see how absurd it is for someone to have a massive log stuck in their own eye, but the entire time, they’re complaining that there’s a tiny speck in someone else’s. 

Jesus wants the crowd to understand that you can’t help others if you’re blind to your own issues.

The human tendency is to magnify one’s virtues and the other’s faults

We will ultimately be judged in the exact same way that we judge others.

Christ’s followers are to first judge their own behavior and attitude.

John Wesley said that no one should judge “without full, clear, certain knowledge, without absolute necessity, without tender love

If we judge others harshly or unfairly, it’s very possible that we’ll also be judged in a harsh and unfair manner. But, when we approach others with grace, we pave the way for grace in return.

Jesus didn’t just teach about God’s justice, He lived it out. 

40 On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. 42 His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying.

As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 

The woman in the crowd’s condition wasn’t just physically challenging; it also made her what’s called “ceremonially unclean” according to the Jewish law. 

There’s a really good chance that she hadn’t experienced any human contact for twelve years, most likely living in isolation, constantly feeling forgotten and ashamed.

When she reached out to touch the fringe of Jesus’ robe, she wasn’t just looking to be healed physically. She was taking a huge risk.

Touching anyone while being considered unclean was absolutely unacceptable because doing so would cause that person to also become unclean. 

But this woman believed even the slightest touch, a momentary connection with Jesus, could change her life. 

Jesus didn’t just heal her body—He restored her dignity. 

When He called her “daughter,” He publicly affirmed her value and her faith in front of the whole crowd of people.

49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” 50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.” 51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother. 52 The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” 53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” 55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.

(Luke 8:40-56 – NLT)

Jesus learned Jairus’ daughter had died, but He still went to Jairus’ house.

Jesus again did what only Jesus could do. 

Jairus witnessed two miracles, and they only happened because Jesus was willing to meet people in their desperation, loneliness, and fear.

This is a story about the restoration of life and dignity, even in the most hopeless situations. 

Wherever Jesus goes, He brings healing, hope, and restoration. 

This a story about justice.

INSIGHTS (What might this Scripture mean?)

1. Justice isn’t always convenient.

Jesus stopped on the way to help the woman in the crowd. 

Jairus was likely frustrated, anxious, panicked, and probably even annoyed. 

Jesus didn’t rush past the woman. 

Justice meant Jesus addressing the needs of others even when it was inconvenient. 

He chose to stop and restore this woman, showing everyone, including us, that no one is too insignificant for His attention. 

2. “Lost causes” deserve justice, too.

When the woman reached out to Jesus, He called her out of the crowd, spoke to her directly, and called her “daughter.” 

Jesus made things right for this woman when most others considered her a lost cause who was to be avoided at all costs.

When Jairus’ daughter died, it seemed like all hope was lost. 

The messengers even told Jairus not to bother Jesus anymore, but Jesus had a different perspective. 

He didn’t let a hopeless situation stop Him from bringing life and healing to Jairus’ family.

Jesus is strong enough to handle even the most hopeless situations. 

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 – NLT)

*Romans 8:28 big bro Nissan factory story*

Even when things seem hopeless, Jesus is able to make things right.

He wants us to do the same – and that’s justice.

ACTION (How could we live this out?)

1. Slow down and see beyond the crowd.

To truly see and respond to the needs around us, we need to intentionally slow down and look for those on the fringe, people who may feel forgotten, alone, or out of place. 

This week make it your goal to slow down and be present where you are. 

If you see someone alone, take a moment to help them feel seen and included. Be willing to step away from the crowd to bring someone in.

It’s easy to just stay focused on ourselves. 

4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:4 – NLT)

This week, slow down and create space for unexpected moments to happen where you can demonstrate God’s love to others, especially those who might think of themselves as a lost cause. 

2. Speak life into the overlooked.

Words have the power to build others up in a way that can’t be overstated. 

Sometimes people just need to hear they are noticed, appreciated, and loved. 

It’s often the people who need to hear these things the most are told them the least, but this week, we can change that.

24 Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

(Proverbs 16:24 – NLT)

Who around you might be going through a hard time or might seem isolated or discouraged?

This week, make it a point to encourage at least one person every day. 

Send a thoughtful message, give a genuine compliment, or take a moment to just listen to someone who needs to talk.

Sometimes justice can be about bringing life and healing to those who have been overlooked or forgotten. 

Jesus came to bring justice for the lost cause, and we should follow His example.

*Prayer*